Part of staying inspired and motivated as an artist is to keep your sense of wonder.  I have been working pretty hard in the studio for a while and needed to plan a time to get out and see something (re)new.  So here I am in Round Top, Texas today, exploring and being intrigued by the beautiful, the nostalgic and the ridiculous.  There is so much to share, it will take me a few days to cover it all…..

First:  The Beautiful.

April in Texas is probably my favorite time (I really like late October, too).  Things are lush and green, and the wildflowers are profuse, especially in this part of the state.  I grew up in a rural area, where there were tons of wildflowers along the roads and highways.  I don’t see them as much in suburbia (with the exception of a few yards that have enthusiastic owners who spread seeds each spring), so it’s good to get out and see them in their natural habitat.  Bluebonnets in Texas never get old (just don’t ask me to paint them).

We had a fast and furious time of looking at more ‘junk’ than the law allows (more on that next time).  After most of the vendors started packing up, we headed over to the square in Round Top and took an early evening stroll.  It is the most picturesque little square — if Hans Christian Andersen had been a Texan, I’m sure he would have chosen this for the setting of his fairy tales.

And the Live Oaks are gorgeous!

We have a live oak next to our house, which I love (I can see it right out my studio window), but it’s really nice when they have room to spread like they do here. They are gnarly and majestic.  Sublime.

We finally made it over to our rental cottage for the evening, and we had another warm welcome from this guy.  His owner, Joi told me he’s a Gypsy Vanner and Shire mix. He kind of reminded us of a Clydesdale, with his size and the long hair around his horse-ankles.  There are actually several gorgeous horses here, and sprawling green fields as far as the eye can see.

I’m looking forward to sitting on the porch in the morning with a cup of coffee, while I watch the horses have their breakfast,  and wonder…..